Steam iron



Dec. 15, 1953 Y A. A. JOHNSON 2,662,316

STEAM IRON Filed July 18, 1950 l -f o o Gttornega Patented Dec. 15, 1953UNITED $662,316

mont

Arthur A; Johnson; Bridgeport, (30mn,A assigner to Gscm Brudu'otslCorporation; Bzidzepm-tl Gonna.. a corporation? of Connecticim`Applicativi@ Jiyf 18;, 195o, s-eriai'fNt; mgm' This invention relatestovv el'ect'riz':sadi'ronsg andf particularly to sadironsofthetype@capableofl generating steam andi applying the san'retolthesurface of material being ironed.

IronsV ofA this characterarefconventionally pro# 5:

vided withfa sole plate; a water reservoir-located abovethe sole plateand an operating'handleexIV` tending along thetopoftfheironformanipulating thesame duringironing:Valtrious-provi'sions-havel been made for filling the Waterreservoir-'such irons, one of the most-convenient of'whi'clr-isto haveanv upward-opening llingf' aperture at' theforward, upper partici4f thehandle which` confnects witha. duct -leadingfthrougha portion ofthe#handle and into` the reservoir. this invention to-providesuch axforward, upward;-

opening filling aperture withaI closurewhic'hfpre vents the accidental?.dropping of`y` fereign matter` into thelling passagelwhile'theirorrinusel or is., stored,y but' which is, however; readiliiffandEconveniently moi/'ablel to` open position by' theV hand'V inVv whichvthe'` ironv handle is li'eldgl leaving' thea other: hand free formanipulationoffA the- Water container or tap :for llingfthe reservoir.

17. (Cl. {iXi-'771),

Certaintypes ofJ steam-irons are prox'rii'ed-'WithV`r 'Ff a dome whichrisesabove'theupper'surfacepffthe* reservoir, inv many cases thefsteamlgenerating-v chamber, and with an open standpip'e extending up into thecenter of isaidzdom'e:and'lleadingftotlie steam jets of theriron.A Thisarrangement consti-- tutes a water. trapzwhichaprovides forfseparatin'-of water droplets.v from;l the Y steam;-V prior-tov its ejection.Suchdomes and standpipes arelfoften'"` arrangedfat theforwardpart` ofthe=iron and ex# tend up-into thehandle.- Thisiinvention-lliasffrlanother.- object the-provision of'a structurewliclr will-serve both asaeteamz-dome or Water trap andv4v as a filling device so asto*reducematerialhmihe cost of the iron as compared with onein Whiclrthese components arefseparately-arranged.

Itis anotherf objectfoff. theinventiow to provide?y a relief valvemechanism-for thelsteamf'generatfing chamber so` arrangedV that itsexhaust: willi-' bepdirectedforwardlyrofithefiron-wlieie itf-iillnotilbe dangerous to thezoperatorz and in'fal'cfusaicin whereithe ejectedsteam mayf-bexseen andfi'nxiicate1 tothe operatorithatthefareliefvalveisvoperatingf;

A- featureofftheL-inventi'on is'tlie provision ofi-,lie-x combinedgwatertrapf. and llingfmechanism such fashion that itials'operforms=thefunetion-=- of the' aboVermentionecloreliei-v Valve;

A- further featurexofftheainventionis--t1fx`epriVIV vision'v of a.:sn'ioothlyL contoured handllwliich-isi comfortableV and: convenient for?operating the= 'Y 2*', when slid to its primary position, forms aAconf-'- tiiiuat'in'A o'fjj the smootli^ contours "of the handle,

and wh'enlslidto asecondarypositioxi,uncoversa:`

fillhgapertureforftiiewaterreservoiii previsioni of= ai steam" iron`-including; two movable elements; *on'efai iilingaperture closure;andanothera steam'fsystem seal"l andmeans wherebyf.

f' inafterffappean Figured isianil elevation, partially' inA section; ofanii'on-accordingz tojtlieinvention:

2` isT aIra-gmentaryitop'; plan showing" the- -cover-fportionofth'ehandle in place.v

theSinventionfhavingfaconventionalisole plate: I 2 by `whichiscarriedltliejusualielectric heating ejll' ment l Intlie *forward end:of'fthesole' platell' chamber le; rammed-ennemie pia-te; rz isla:waterreservoir'zzprovidedintenoriy with Bamsj the contained?L waterancijpreventi'rigv splas;hing.;V

` y lThjetaiiki'2'2^ is arranged'closely 'adjacenttlieupner surface of."thelsol'eiplatelfswastoreceiveheatfreadiligtliere.- w

into thefst'eam' conductinfsystemz;

from fandf toa-ct" -as ja Steann generating chamlie'r,"

A handlemexirlenioffnonfconductiifegheatresistanemateriaiisngidiyimquntafontiie-uniier; g

surface? of contoured to t the operators hand so that the iron can beused with the maximum of comfort.

The forward leg 32 of the handle member 38 is hollow and provides arecess 34 which registers approximately with an opening 38 in the uppersurface of the reservoir 22. A tube 38 having an upper flare 4G isfirmly sealed to the rim of the opening 36 and acts on an upwardlyprojecting filling funnel therefor.. The tube 38 projects upwardly abovethe upper surface of the reservoir 22 and into the recess 34 of thehandle. ably the flare 48 is formed after the leg 32 of Preferhandle isplaced over the tube 38, as by spinl ning or swaging, and serves asmeans to x the handle to the reservoir at the forward end. Theconstruction shown in Fig. 1 with the 'main portion of forward leg 32 ofhandle. 38 spaced outwardly from tube 38 is also preferred since aminimum of surface contact is permitted in order that heat transfer tothe handle shall not be eX- cessive.

A valve orseal 42 consists of av disc-shaped member provided with aresilient sealing ring 44 of rubber-like material, and the same iscapable of engaging in the flare 48 to close and seal the upper end ofthe tube 38. A central, upwardly extending stem 48 on the valve 42passes slidably through a central aperture in a spider 48 firmly mountedin the recess 34 above the upper end of the tube 38. The spider includesapertures 50 to permit passage of water therethrough. A compressionspring 52 surrounds the stem 46 between the spider 48 and valve 42 andurges the valve into sealing position in the flare 4l), tightly closingthe upper end of tube 38.

Means is also provided for lifting the valve 42 away from the flare 48against the force of spring 52 and includes a lever 54 pivotally mountedmidway of its length in a slot 56 formed in the grip portion 58 ofhandle member 30, by means of a pin 68. One end of the lever 54 has apin-andslot connection 82 with the upper end of valve stem 48, and theother Aend 64 thereof projects upwardly out of the groove 58, to act asa cam follower. A portionof the grip 58 of handle member 38 is notintegrally formed with the rest of the grip and is slidably mounted withrespect thereto for movement along the handle. This grip portion formsIa combined closure for the upper end of recess 34, a manual operatingmem-v ber for raising valve 42 by means of lever 54, and is designatedby reference character 85. Any suitable slidable mounting which retainsthe slidable grip section 68 in place on the handle will serve thepurpose, but a preferred form of connection is shown in the drawingswherein slotted plates 88 are firmly embedded in the main grip section58 and are received in grooves 'I8 in the slidable grip section 88,while a cross pin 'l2 carried by grip section 85 passes through theslots in the plates to retain the parts in place and provide limitingstops for the sliding movement. The undersurface of slidable gripsection 86 is provided With a cam surface I4, 78 which, by cooperatingwith the projecting end 84 of lever' 54 rst lifts the valve'42 and thenretains the same lifted as the grip section is moved rearwardly, ortowards theright, as shown in the drawing, or permits the` valve 42torloweragainst the flare 40 as the grip section B8 is moved all the wayforward, or to the left in the drawing.

A spring urged latch 'I8 automatically engages in a notch 8v!! toprevent movement of the grip section 68 after it hasl been movedforwardly all 4 to move the grip rearwardly it is then necessary topress a release button 82 which is exposed at the upper surface of thegrip section 88 in a sha1- low recess 84, and which is operativelyengaged with the latch 18 to release the same.

Threadedly mounted in an opening in the plate i8 and in another openingin the proximate bottom wall of the reservoir 22 is the lower end of astandpipe `88. YClamped between these two walls by means of saidthreaded connection is :preferably provided a sealing member or gasket88 which prevents any leakage of moisture around the outer surface ofpipe 86 between the reservoir 22 and steam chamber I8. The standpipe 86Vprojectsupwardly through the opening 36 and above the top surface ofthe reservoir 22 into the Ypipe 86 is closed off, preferably by pinchingor crimping, so as to prevent accidental ingress of moisture to steamchamber I8 during filling, and has side openings S8 at its upper end toform steam passages connecting the upper portion of the tube 38 with thechamber I8 and with jets 20.

The forward wall of the forward leg 32 of the handle member 38 has avent or relief opening 92 which communicates with the recess 34 betweenthe valve 42 and the closure portion of slidable grip section 88 for apurpose which will hereinafter appear.

In operation, assuming the iron to be in the condition illustrated inFig. 1, and without water, the button 82 is depressed to release latch'18, and grip section 88 is slid rearwardly by the thumb of the samehand which grasps the handle 38, uncovering the upper end of recess 34in the for ward leg 32 of the handle. This rearward movement of the gripsection also simultaneously raises and holds valve 42 away from flare 48by the impingement of cam surfaces 14, '1S upon. the upper endk 64 ofthelever 54. The iron is then ready for filling `and has been brought tovthat condition by movements which can be conducted entirely by the handwhich engages the grip portion 58 of handle 38. In the meantime theother hand of the operator may be engaged in filling the iron with thedesired quantity of water.

-vThe water is introduced through the upper end ofrecess 34, passesthrough openings 5G in spider 48. between the raised valve 42 and theflare 48, through tube 38 and into the reservoir 22. The water firstengages the baille 28 and runs from the lateral edges thereof (notshown) into the lower portions of the rreservoir 22. Since the upper endof standpipe 86 is closed as shown by reference character 88, and sincethe openings Bil are in the sides thereof, the danger of introducingwater into the standpipe during lling is removed. 1

When filling of the iron is completed, the thumb of the hand whichgrasps the grip portion 58. is moved forward to slide the grip section66 forward. As the end 84 of lever 54 leaves the flat section' I8 of thecam surface, valve 42 is no longer-retained in open position. Furthermovement forward permits the end 64 of lever 54 to travel upward alongthe sloping cam face 'I4 and nallyfvalve 42 closes tightly against flare40 under the influence of spring 52. At the same time, the grip section88 moves forward until it closes the upper end of recess 34 to preventinadvertent dropping of any foreign mattei' into the filling systemwhile the iron is in use or stored,`

and `until the iron is ready for emptying or for the way into gripcompleting position- -In order anotherrelling. As the grip section 66moves to-flnal closing position, thelatch 18f snapsinto the recesse toretain the grip section in forward position.

Passage of electricl current through the element Illin the. conventionalmanner causes the soley plate I2 to heat up and thusraises theYtemperature of the-water in reservoir 22. When the temperaturebecomessuiiciently high, steam is driven oi from the uppersurfaceofzthewater, passes aroundl thev baffles 24,; 26 and- 28, up intothe tube` 38; through openings 90 into the standpipe-'86y and downwardlyVintoI steam chamber Il;v

from whencerit isl ejected byjets 2li onto the materialbeing ironed.FromV thisit can be seen that, with the valve42 closing its upper end;the filling tube138-1becomes a steam dome cooperating with' thestandpipe86fito `provide a trap which prevents water droplets fromreachingitheesteam ,jets 20'.;

In `case-anyof; the steam passages, such. as jets;V 20, should somehowbecome clogged, and cause arise of pressureto occurgin the reservoir 22;vthe' invention also serves the purpose of a relief'orisafety valve.Whenfthe steam ,pressure becomes sumcient to overcome: the force ofspring 52, the valve 42 raises-slightly andrelieves thev pressure,allowing the steamv to escape through exhaust opening or vent 92.Thisopenvf ing.v is located in the front portion; of the front` leg 32of handle 30y so as to ber directed gene erallyawayfrom the operator atall times to avoid the possibility of injury or discomfort. Theforwardlocation ofthe opening 9,2 is also such that4 a slight cloud of.condensing lsteam issuing therefrom will quicklyA catch the eye of theoperator and give prompt warning of the improper functioning oftheiron.

From the foregoing` description it can be seen that .the inventionprovides aneconoinical structure for a steam iron which combines thefunctions .of a .steam domel orfwater trap, a filling mechanism, and arelief valve. Furthermore, the parts are conveniently arranged at theforward part of the iron so that filling canL takeplace convenientlythrough .the forward upper part of theV handle, and the relief valveexhaust can be.

forwardly directed ina conspicuous, yet harmless direction.

Furthermore a novel handle is providedsucn thata section, Sethereof isslidable to two positions.. In the rst position the section completes a,smoothly contoured comfortable. handle suitable for ironing,.,and at thesame time closesthefilling system of the iron to prevent access offoreign matter thereto. In the second position it vopens thevfillingsystem for the introduction of water. In addition the slidable portionof the handle is interconnected with va steam dome closure valve soas toopen and close the same automatically in response to sliding of thehandle section. The slidable section 5B ofi-the handle is so located asto be vconveniently operthroughv and 'havingfan open'itop; theothe'r1endof the passage. communicating; with@ said reser-.

voir; a valve seat in said-"passage: remote from the upper open endthereof; a closurexvalvermovably mounted in said-`v passage:V andresiliently engaging said valve seat; acl'osure `on the handle forclosing the open end ofthe filling passage;

and means for mounting the closurevfor lateral. movement awayrv fromAposition-above the yopen` end of the filling passage to provide,whilethe base assembly is in substantially horizontal position,unobstructed access to thev filling' passage for the free fall ofwaterfinto the passage and:v through the passage' past thev valve into thereservoir when the valvefislopen.

2. The invention as definedH in claim 14 in which there is meansconnecting theclosureeand..

the closure valve forco-ordinate.movement-between open and closedpositions;-

3. In'a steam iron, a-baseassembly'includingv a heated sole plate and awaterreservoir; a' handle mounted on and abovesaidbaseassembly forcarrying and manipulating the iron, said handle naliy of the handle andlaterallylwith respectfto said post; meansinterconnecting-saidoperatinguy member and said valveforcausing-movement'of the latter in response-to1rnanual movement-off theformer; and means operablein responseto movement of said operatingmemberfor closing and opening the other end of said filling passage*u assaid valve is moved tosealingandnon-sealing positions respectively;

4. In a steam iron, a'vbase--assembly-including a heated sole plateand/a waterreservoir; a handie mounted on and above said-base assemblyforcarrying and manipulatingfthe iron, said handle being formed with anelongatev filling passage' therethrough having one end in communicationlwith said reservoir; a-valvemounteclon said'handle within said fillingpassage-land movable between an open position, anda closed positionVvproviding tight Asealing interruption forsaid fillingY passage at apoint intermediate the ends thereof, said valve-operating in such adirection that steam pressureA Within `the reservoir tends to force thevalve in an` opening direction; resilient means for urging saidvalve-in`a closingL direction; a manually movable operating` member mounted onsaid handle; means-interconnecting said operating member and saidvalve-for vcau,- ing movement of the-latter'in'response tomanualmovement of the former; means operable'in response to movement ofy saidoperating member for closing and openingtheotherendof Asaid fillingpassage as said valve'is moved tosealing.

and non-sealing positions respectively; and normally open ventingmeansfor ntheportion of saidl filling passage betweensaidvalve'and saidpassage closing means.

5. In a steam iron, a base assembly` including. a heated sole plate andawater reservoir; a`

handle mounted on and abovesa'id base assembly for carrying andmanipulating the iron, sadhandlebeing formed with an elongatellligpassage.

therethrough havingone `endin communication 7. with said reservoir; avalve mounted on said handle within said filling passage and movablebe'- tween an open position and a closed position providing tightsealing interruption for said lling passage at a point intermediate theends thereof, said valve operating in such a direction that steampressure within the reservoir tends to force the valve in an openingdirection; resilient means for urging said valve in a closing direction;a manually movable operating member mounted on said handle; meansinterconnecting said operating member and said valve for causingmovement of the latter in response to manual movement of the former;means operable in response to movementvof said operating member forclosing and opening the other end of said filling passage as said valveis moved to sealing and non-sealing positions respectively; and normallyopen forwardly directed venting means for the portion of said iillingpassage between said f valve and said passage closing means.

6. In a steam iron, a base assembly including a heated sole plateprovided with a steam jet and a water reservoir, said reservoir having atubular upward extension at the forward end thereof; a handle mounted onand above the base assembly for carrying and manipulating the iron, Saidhandle having a passage therethrough receiving said upward extension andopening at the top of said handle; a movable valve carried by saidhandle within said passage, engageable with the upper portion of theextension for opening and closing the bore in said extension, said valvebeing displaceable from said upper portion by excess steam pressure torelieve the same; and a standpipe mounted on said base assembly,communicating with said jet, and extending upwardly through saidreservoir into said tubular extension, said standpipe having an openingadjacent its upper end.

'7. In a steam iron, a base assembly including a heated sole plateprovided with a steam jet and a water reservoir, said reservoir havingan apertured tubular upward extension at the forward end thereof; ahandle mounted on and above the base assembly for carrying andmanipulating the iron, said handle having a passage therethroughreceiving said upward extension and opening at the top of said handle; avalve carried by said handle within said passage, said Valve beingmovable upwardly away from the upper end of said extension to open theaperture thereof, and downwardly towards said extension to close saidaperture; and a standpipe mounted on said base, communicating with saidjet and extending upwardly through said reservoir into said tubularextension having its upper end closed, and openings formed in the sidesthereof within said tubular extension.

8. In a steam iron, a base assembly including a heated sole plate and awater reservoir; and a smoothly contoured handle comprising two parts,one of said parts being mounted on and above the base assembly andhaving a generally horizontal portion for carrying and manipulating theiron and a vertical post provided with a passage therethroughcommunicating with said reservoir, the other part being a movable gripsection; means mounting the grip section on said horizontal portion ofthe handle for horizontal movement between a first position overlyingsaid post in which it forms a smooth continuation of said horizontalportion and closes the upper end of said passage, and a second positionexposing the upper end of said passage.V

9. In a steam iron, a base assembly including a heated sole plate and awater reservoir; a. smoothly contoured handle comprising two parts. oneof said parts being mounted on and above the base assembly and having agenerally horizontal portion for carrying and manipulating the iron anda vertical post provided with a passage therethrough communicating withsaid reservoir, the other part being a movable grip section; meansmounting the grip section on said horizontal portion of the handle forhorizontal movement between a first position overlying said post inwhich it forms a smooth continuation of said horizontal portion andcloses the upper end of said passage, and a second position exposing theupper end of said passage; and releasable latch means for retaining saidgrip section in said first position.

10. In a steam iron, a base assembly including a heated sole plate and awater reservoir; a smoothly contoured handle comprising two parts, oneof said parts being mounted on and above the base assembly and having agenerally horizontal portion for carrying and manipulating the iron anda vertical post provided with a passage therethrough communicating withsaid reservoir, the other part being a movable grip section; meansslidably mounting the grip section on said horizontal portion of thehandle for forward horizontal movement to a iirst position overlyingsaid post in which it forms a smooth continuation of said horizontalportion and closes the upper end of said passage, and for rearwardmovement to a position exposing the upper end of said passage; andreleasable latch means for retaining said grip section in said firstposition.

l1. In a steam iron, a base assembly including a heated sole plate and alwater reservoir; a, smoothly contoured handle comprising two parts, oneof said parts being mounted on and above the base assembly and having agenerally horizontal portion for carrying and manipulating the iron anda vertical post provided with a passage therethrough communicating withsaid reservoir, the other part being a movable grip section; meansmounting the grip section on said horizontal portion of the handle forhorizontal movement between a iirst position overlying said post inwhich it forms a smooth continuation of said horizontal portion andcloses the upper end of said passage, and a second position exposing theupper end of said passage; a valve mounted on said handle within saidpassage and movable vertically between a rst position in which thepassage is interrupted by the valve and a second position in which thevalve does not interrupt the passage; and means interconnecting saidgrip section and valve for causing vertical movement of the latter toits first position in response to horizontal movement of the gripsection to its rst position, and vertical movement to its secondposition in response to horizontal movement of the grip section to itssecond position. 12. In a steam iron, a base assembly includlng a heatedsole plate and a water reservoir. said sole plate having a steam jetformed there- 1n; a smoothly contoured handle comprising two parts, oneof said parts being mounted on and above the base assembly for carryingand manipulating the iron, and having a vertical passage therethroughcommunicating with said reservoir, the other part being a movable gripsection mounted on said rst part of the handle for movement between arst position in which it forms a smooth continuation of said first partatomare and closesthe upperend ofv said passagaeand a second positionexposing theupper iend of said passage; a. standpipe mounted on saidbase .as- .,sembly, communicating with said jet.and extending upwardlyinto said passage; Va -valve `mounted on handle withinisaid passageandmovable between a first position in which the passage is interrupted bythe valve just'abovel the A.upper end. o1? said standpipeVanda secondpositionin which the valve does not interrupt the passage; and means.interconnecting said grip section and valve for causing movement of the`latter Yto its rst position'in response toimovement of the grip sectiontoits first position,land to its second position in response to movementof the grip section to its second position.

13. In a steam iron, a base assembly including a heated sole plate and awater reservoir, said sole plate having a steam jet formed therein; asmoothly contoured handle comprising two parts, one of said parts beingmounted on and above the base assembly for carrying and manipulating theiron, and having a vertical passage therethrough communicating with saidreservoir, the other part being a movable grip section mounted on saidrst part of the handle for movement between a first position in which itforms a smooth continuation of said iirst part and closes the upper endof said passage, and a second position exposing the upper end of saidpassage; a standpipe mounted on said base assembly, communicating withsaid jet, and extending upwardly into said passage; a valve mounted onsaid handle within said passage and movable between a first position inwhich the passage is interrupted by the valve just above the upper endof said standpipe, and a second position in which the valve does notinterrupt the passage; means interconnecting said grip section and valvefor causing movement of the 'latter to its first position in response tomovement of the grip section to its lrst position, and to its secondposition in response to movement of the grip section to its secondposition; and resilient means urging said valve to its first position,said one handle part having a vent opening communicating with saidpassage between said valve and the upper end of the passage.

14. In a steam iron, a base assembly including a heated sole plate and awater reservoir; a smoothly contoured handle comprising two parts, oneof said parts being mounted on and above the base assembly for carryingand manipulating the iron, and having a vertical passage therethroughcommunicating with said reservoir, the other part being a movable gripsection; means slidably mounting said grip section on said rst part ofthe handle for forward horizontal movement to a rst position in which itforms a smooth continuation of said first part and closes the upper endof said passage, and for rearward horizontal movement to a positionexposing the upper end of said passage; a valve mounted on said handlewithin said passage and movable vertically between a iirst position inwhich the passage is interrupted by the valve and a second position inwhich the valve does not interrupt the passage; means interconnectingsaid grip section and valve for causing vertical movement of the latterto its rst position in response to horizontal sliding of the gripsection to its first position, and vertical movement to its secondposition in response to horizontal sliding of the grip section to itssecond position; and releasable latch beingk amovable'grip sectionsli'dably mounted on *meansfforretainingj:said grip sect-ion inlsaid-:first position.l i

Hingaheatedsoleplate; and va water reservoir, 'said"sl'e'pl"ate-`having'a steam jet'forrned therein; 'a `smoothlycontouredhandle comprising two parts, J'onerjfsaid'parts being mounted Aon andabove' the `base'assemblyiorl'carrying and manipulating'theironfan'dihavingai vertical passage therethrough communicating vwithsaid-reservoir, the 4other part saidrstpart of thehandle for forwardmovement to a-firstposition in which it forms a smooth continuation ofsaid rst part and closes the upper end of said passage, and for rearwardmovement to a position exposing the upper end of said passage; astandpipe mounted on said base assembly, communicating with said jet,and extending upwardly into said passage; a valve mounted on said handleWithin said passage and movable between a rst position in which thepassage is interrupted by the valve just above the upper end of saidstandppe, and a second position in which the.va1ve does not interruptthe passage; means interconnecting said grip section and valve forcausing movement of the latter to its rst position in response tosliding of the grip section to its first position, and to its secondposition in response to sliding of the gripsection to its secondposition; and releasable latch means for retaining said grip section insaid first position.

16. In a steam iron, a base assembly including a heated sole plate and awater reservoir, said sole plate having a steam jet formed therein; asmoothly contoured handle comprising two parts, one of said parts beingmounted on and above the base assembly for carrying and manipulating theiron, and having a vertical passage therethrough communicating with saidreservoir, the other part being a movable grip section slidably mountedon said first part of the handle for for- Ward movement to a rstposition in which it forms a smooth continuation of said first part andcloses the upper end of said passage, and for rearward movement to aposition exposing the upper end of said passage; a standpipe mounted onsaid base assembly, communicating with said jet, and extending upwardlyinto said passage; a valve mounted on said handle within said passageand movable between a rst position in which the passage is interruptedby the valve just above the upper end of said standpipe, and a secondposition in which the valve does not interrupt the passage; meansinterconnecting said grip section and valve for causing movement of thelatter to its rst position in response to sliding of the grip section toits first position, and to its second position in response to sliding ofthe grip section to its second position; resilient means urging saidvalve to its rst position, said one handle part having a vent openingcommunicating with said passage between said valve and the upper end ofthe passage; and releasable latchk means for retaining said grip sectionin said rst position.

17. In a steam iron an assembly comprising a. heated sole plate and awater reservoir mounted above the sole plate, said reservoir having aiilling opening; means providing a valve seat adjacent said llingopening; a valve mounted on said assembly and cooperable with said seatfor closing said lling opening; resilient means urging said valveagainst said seat; a manually engageable and movable operator mounted onsaid aesaaie 11 assembly; and means for moving said valve in response tomovement of said operator including a cam having a plurality of sectionsoperating in sequence, onefof said sections being a sloping section forlifting said valve from said seat against the force of said spring, andanother of said sections being aflat section for retaining said valveaway from said seat against the force of said spring, whereby the valveis retained in open position away from said seat without the necessityfor continuous manual pressure on said operator.

. 'ARTHUR A. JOHNSON.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberNumber Name Date Mosby Oct. 24, 1911 Rankin July 23, 1918 Pollock Aug.4, 1931 Morton Dec. 9, 1947 Finlayson Feb. 28, 1950 Rakos Mar. 7, 1950FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Great Britain Sept. 10, 1923 Germany Apr.6, 1921

